I've picked a sleeper team nearly every year since joining ESPN.com's blog network. This season's under-the-radar pick is the 2013 Miami Dolphins.

The Dolphins were 7-9 last season and appear poised to take the next step. Enough good things already are in place to persuade me that Miami will be a threat to make the playoffs next season.

My track record for picking sleepers is pretty good. In 2008, I picked the "sleeper" Baltimore Ravens, who drafted a lesser-known quarterback named Joe Flacco and advanced to the AFC title game. In 2009, I picked the Cincinnati Bengals, who surprised many with an emotional run to the playoffs.

I didn’t see a sleeper in my former division in 2010 or 2011, so I took those years off. I resumed my sleeper picks in 2012 by going out on a limb with the Buffalo Bills, which was a mistake. (Remind me not to pick the Bills again until they prove something and end the NFL’s longest playoff drought.)

But I really like what is going on in Miami, which laid the foundation last season. The Dolphins are the biggest threat in the AFC East to the perennial dominance of the New England Patriots.

Really not a sleeper pick as I have been predicting them to win the super bowl for the last 6 or 7 years now & I will pick them again for 2013 because I am that much of a homer. But here is a few more quotes from that article..

The Patriots are in their own league in the AFC East. Neither the Jets nor the Bills are in the same ballpark. But Miami at least has the infrastructure in place and the offseason resources to close the gap.

About the writer:James Walker ESPN AFC East Blogger Joined ESPN in 2008 A Temple graduate and Hyattsville, Md., native who lives in Miami

_________________2015. Jets & Bills new regimes & no QB. Pats , nowhere to go but down. We come back with best young QB in the game plus we keep the best regime intact. Making of dynasty.

Fri Mar 01, 2013 8:51 pm

TommyNoleFin

Phinfever Ring of Honor

Joined: Mon Jan 24, 2011 9:58 amPosts: 1536

Re: Why Dolphins are my Sleeper pick for 2013

I'd put more weight into this if it wasn't from a guy that is living in Miami

_________________

Fri Mar 01, 2013 10:51 pm

FrustratedFinFan

Phinfever Legend

Joined: Wed Jan 13, 2010 12:30 amPosts: 2877

Re: Why Dolphins are my Sleeper pick for 2013

Super Bowl

How about a playoff win.....or just a playoff appearance?

Brady just inked a deal to play for relative peanuts. The Pats aren't done yet.....sadly.

_________________Philbin's countenance exudes confidence!1984 was so long ago...Will there ever be another rainbow?

Fri Mar 01, 2013 11:11 pm

Finhead34

2015 Phinfever VIP Donor!

Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2010 8:57 amPosts: 5448Location: Houston, Texas

Re: Why Dolphins are my Sleeper pick for 2013

Until Miami solves dethroning the Patriots, the fins will continue to limp along. Winning the AFC East is the start the Dolphins need to start getting back to their winning ways. I think I speak for the majority that I am absolutely SICK of the Patriots winning year in and year out.

_________________2015. Jets & Bills new regimes & no QB. Pats , nowhere to go but down. We come back with best young QB in the game plus we keep the best regime intact. Making of dynasty.

Sat Mar 02, 2013 1:52 pm

hypocritex

Phinfever Hall of Famer

Joined: Wed Jan 13, 2010 3:42 pmPosts: 965

Re: Why Dolphins are my Sleeper pick for 2013

FrustratedFinFan wrote:

Super Bowl

How about a playoff win.....or just a playoff appearance?

Brady just inked a deal to play for relative peanuts. The Pats aren't done yet.....sadly.

Brady is not really taking a paycut buddy. And is DEFINITELY not playing for peanuts. His contract was restructured. A lot of that money was turned into a LARGE signing bonus. So while he did.. restructure to make some room. He didn't really take a paycut. So lets not immortalize the girly man too much. This might seem unselfish. But if the guy ends up getting a career ending injury in the next 2 or 3 years. Its going to SCREW the Pats cap for for years. While a retired Brady will still have all that signing bonus money that he originally would have been waiting for.

I thought however that by agreeing to an extension it lets the Patriots be more of a player in free agency. If i remember correctly Marino did something simalar as well.

_________________2015. Jets & Bills new regimes & no QB. Pats , nowhere to go but down. We come back with best young QB in the game plus we keep the best regime intact. Making of dynasty.

Sat Mar 02, 2013 3:03 pm

swerve13

2015 Phinfever VIP Donor!

Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2010 12:52 amPosts: 8640Location: Lancaster, PA

Re: Why Dolphins are my Sleeper pick for 2013

Quote:

Dolphins P Brandon Fields is the only veteran player the team has under contract through 2015.They do have seven rookies signed through 2015, including quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Cameron Wake could also be back if the Dolphins picked up his option. But the Dolphins have held off on committing to veterans for the long term, and subsequently have a ton of roster flexibility this year and in the future. Miami has $45 million in salary cap space this offseason. Spend wisely, Jeff Ireland.